Treatment of Atrophic Facial Acne Scars With Microneedling Followed by Polymethylmethacrylate-Collagen Gel Dermal Filler.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Microneedling and soft-tissue filler injections have been used independently to improve acne scarring. The effectiveness of a combined approach using microneedling followed by polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-collagen gel has not been carefully studied.

OBJECTIVE:

The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of microneedling alone versus microneedling followed by injection of PMMA-collagen gel filler for correction of atrophic facial acne scars.

METHODS:

We conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized, prospective study on subjects with distensible atrophic acne scars in the face to determine whether microneedling with PMMA-collagen gel is a superior acne scar treatment over microneedling alone. Forty-four subjects received 3 microneedling treatments over a 12-week period followed by randomization to treatments with PMMA-collagen gel (treatment group) or no further treatment (control group).

RESULTS:

At 24 weeks, the treatment group achieved a statistically significant improvement in acne scores over microneedling alone. The improvement continued at 36 weeks. At 24 weeks, the treatment group showed a strong trend in improvement on the Physician Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale compared with microneedling alone.

• Authors: Brian S Biesman, Joel L Cohen, Barry E DiBernardo, Jason J Emer, Roy G Geronemus, Michael H Gold, Alayne S Lehman, Brian K Pilcher, Gary D Monheit, Todd E Schlesinger, Craig F Teller
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 45 Issue 12 Pg. 1570-1579 (12 2019) ISSN: 1524-4725 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 30807389 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• ArteFill
• Dermal Fillers
• Collagen
• Polymethyl Methacrylate

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (complications)
• Adult
• Aged
• Atrophy (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Cicatrix (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Collagen (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Combined Modality Therapy (adverse effects, methods)
• Dermal Fillers (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Face
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intralesional
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Needles
• Pilot Projects
• Polymethyl Methacrylate (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Prospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult